No 'big problem looming' for England - Lancaster

England were beaten 31-28 by South Africa on Saturday, a week after losing 24-21 to world champions New Zealand in their first November Test.

Those defeats have increased the pressure on coach Lancaster, but the 45-year-old is looking at the bigger picture a year before England are due to contest the World Cup on home soil.

"We have 10 games to go until the World Cup," he said. "Because of the nature of this group, we are going to be learning all the way to the tournament. I don't subscribe to the fact that there is a big problem looming ahead because we lost on Saturday.

"It hurts when you lose with England and it should do. It hurts me personally because I'm responsible for the team. It hurts the players because they care about the team.

"When criticism does come, you have to accept it for what it is. More importantly, you have to keep everything in perspective in terms of what you are trying to do and what you are trying to achieve.

"My sense is that we are disappointed in ourselves, but equally we have got to keep believing in what we are doing."

Lancaster will make changes for Saturday's clash with Samoa and has urged those players that come into the side to make the most of their opportunity.

"Saturday is a chance for players to put their hands up for the Australia game," he added. "You want to judge players at the highest level. Samoa will be a different challenge, and a tough one."